TRUTH IN HOSPITAL BILLING Senate SponsorsSen. Barack Obama-Jacqueline Y. Collins-M. Maggie Crotty-Donne E. Trotter 1/11/2005SenateSession Sine Die New ActCreates the Truth in Hospital Billing and Finances Act. Provides that hospitals and related organizations shall file with the Department of Public Health an annual public disclosure report prepared by the covered facility's auditor or independent accountant within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year. Requires hospitals and related organizations to also file specified statements, reports, and schedules. Provides that hospitals shall include on their admission forms a conspicuous notice that the patient may receive a copy of all individual hospital charges related to the patient. Requires the Department of Public Health to prepare an annual report to the General Assembly listing hospitals that have failed to comply with the reporting requirements. Provides for patient confidentiality and public availability of required filings. Contains a whistleblower provision. Provides a civil penalty for failure to submit the materials required by the Act.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to:210 ILCS 85/7from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 148Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Discriminatory Pricing Act. Prohibits certain hospitals that have provided health care services to an uninsured patient or medically needy patient from collecting from the uninsured or medically needy patient more than the cost of providing services. Prohibits certain hospitals from initiating debt collection activities against a patient until a determination has been made as to whether the patient qualifies as an uninsured or medically needy patient. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop appropriate reporting mechanisms to enforce the provisions of the Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health may deny, suspend, or revoke a hospital permit or license for a substantial failure to comply with the Discriminatory Pricing Act. Effective immediately. 2/18/2003SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Barack Obama 2/18/2003SenateFirst Reading 2/18/2003SenateReferred to Rules 2/19/2003SenateAssigned to Health & Human Services 2/28/2003SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Barack Obama 2/28/2003SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules 3/4/2003SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Health & Human Services 3/5/2003SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/6/2003SenateHeld in Health & Human Services 3/13/2003SenateDo Pass as Amended Health & Human Services; 007-004-000 3/13/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 18, 2003 3/18/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins 3/18/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. M. Maggie Crotty 3/19/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Donne E. Trotter 3/27/2003SenateSecond Reading 3/27/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 2, 2003 4/4/2003SenateThird Reading Deadline Extended - Rule 2-10(e) to April 9, 2003. 7/1/2003SenatePursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Rules 1/11/2005SenateSession Sine Die